COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Post: Communications Officer

Reporting to: Policy & Development Manager

Hours: 28 hours (full-time considered - 37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £21,000 - £25,000(for full-time position)

Background to Charity

Epilepsy is in the top ten of all causes of death in people under 70 with at least 3 deaths a day in the UK, mostly sudden deaths in young and otherwise healthy people.

SUDEP Action is a charity committed to the prevention of epilepsy deaths through research, campaigns and support & involvement of the bereaved. This is an exciting time for a vibrant and growing charity that has recently won a stream of awards and is positioned at the cutting edge of innovation in the NHS.

SUDEP Action is the working name of Epilepsy Bereaved, a charity set up by 5 women in 1995, all bereaved by epilepsy.

Role and Job Description

We are looking for someone to join us as our Communications Officer. If you are an experienced communicator; a good team player and you are motivated by our cause, we would love to hear from you. There will be opportunities for professional development.

The main tasks and responsibilities of the role are:

  1. To manage the day to day maintenance of the charity social media platforms and websites.
  2. Coordinating charity communication resources including Newsletters; Enews; Press releases.
  3. Supporting the Management Team in the development of the charity communication strategy
  4. To draft, amend, and proof articles for charity communications.
  5. To make improvements to the navigability and accessibility of the website and support work on any review or redesign of the sites.
  6. To coordinate charity press and media work and seek out opportunities to promote the charity.
  7. To support the team in ensuring the charity brand is presented consistently across the organisation’s work.
  8. To develop, plan, implement and manage online communication campaigns.

Other responsibilities as part of the team:

  1. To contribute to administrative tasks in the office such as answering the phone and miscellaneous support tasks for the CEO and the senior management team.
  2. To actively participate in regular reporting, staff meetings, training and planning sessions and to participate in the charity’s development.
  3. To assist in maintaining good working relations with charity supporters and stakeholders, project partners and with other agencies.
  4. To carry out any other reasonable duties that may be required to meet the need of the charity including working at all times in accordance with the aims, values and policies of the charity.

Person Specification

Experience

  • Professional experience in a communications role or able to demonstrate proven abilities as an excellent communicator.
  • Managing online resources including web and social media.
  • Writing articles and/or publications to a high standard.

Understanding of using online marketing strategies and SEO to increase communication reach. (desirable)

  • Maintaining accurate records and regular reporting of communications.
  • Working closely with and supporting senior managers.
  • Working with a wide range of people and organisations. (desirable)
  • Mastery of Enews. (desirable)
  • Liaising successfully with media organisations. (desirable)
  • Liaising successfully to produce personal stories and quotes from professionals and families. (desirable)
  • Managing emotionally demanding work. (desirable)

Skills and knowledge

  • Excellent writing skills, with a creative style and ability to present varied material.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills.
  • Efficient across a wide range of communication tools, databases, programmes, software, and social media platforms, and able to quickly master other IT programmes and toolseg: Drupal & Mailchimp.
  • Strong ability, including high-level literacy and good judgment.
  • Good attention to detail for consistently high quality publications.
  • Self-motivated and highly organised with a methodical and thorough approach to work.
  • Knowledge and willingness to train with the teamto learn strategies for effective management of emotionally demanding work.

​Qualifications

  • Education to degree level or significant professional experience in a Communications role
  • Driving licence (desirable)

Personal

  • Personable and positively engaging demeanour.
  • Team player motivated by SUDEP Action’s work.
  • Proven commitment to continued personal learning and development.

Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties from time to time which are broadly in line with the above responsibilities.

About the Team

You would be joining at an exciting time following a stream of national and international awards and as the charity increases the staff team from 9 to 11.

This role will maintain and build on the Charity’s current Communication Strategy; there will be a handover/induction period to support the successful candidate with this. You will be line managed by our Policy and Development Manager and will be supported and reporting to them and to a monthly communications meeting involving other members of the Management Team.

Terms

5 weeks annual holiday plus bank holidays with extra days after two years’ service; pension scheme and child vouchers. The charity has a flexible working policy around core working hours.

This post is office based. The charity has a pleasant office in 12a Mill St, Wantage, close to the market square. The office is located on the first floor to which there is no lift.

Probation: Appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a probationary period of 6 months.

The post will involve occasional working out of normal hours and occasional travelling.

How to apply

Please send a covering letter and a copy of your CV

Successful candidates will be invited for interview via email.

You will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK prior to interview.

In promoting equal opportunities we welcome applications from all sections of the community.